Thursday, June 28. 2007

iPhone and Maps - Apple Misses the Mark by a Mile

Jobs says that what Apple has done with maps on the iPhone will "blow away any Google Maps client." I'm sorry, the launch of the iPhone tomorrow rings hollow on its location technology to me. So, the iPhone is an "always-on" Wi-Fi enabled Web browser that can view Google Maps. You can search for POIs and display them on the iPhone. There is nothing impressive about that feature that another cell phone with Wi-Fi access doesn't already have.

The only thing I can see that is somewhat innovative is the integration the iPhone has with its other features. That is, when you select a particular POI, let's say a restaurant, and you touch the pin location on the map display, the user is able to see and then dial the phone number for that establishment. That's cool, I'll admit. The ability to view traffic maps is just a yawner. It's just a feature of another website. Routing? Please don't insult me. Where is the "live" link to my location? Show me my friends, my pets, my car and everyone and everything else in my network. Show them to me on the map as my "in-network" favs. The map features are basically static. It lacks the "wow" factor so common to Apple products and for a company that prides itself on catering to the gen X'ers, Y's or whoever, the opportunity to establish the iPhone as the primo location-based social networking device was a huge miss. Even local search, the hottest thing going, is simply web-based look up on the iPhone. Without GPS, (or Wi-Fi triangulation) it's simply just a web browser.

So, tomorrow the iPhone will be available in stores at 6:00 p.m. and people will be thronging to Apple's retail outlets to pay the $500+. In my opinion, wait until Apple adds a GPS chip. Wait for the social networking feature to show the proximity of friends and family. I think they blew it this time around by leaving these features out. It could have launched as the "killer" PDA-cell phone-MP3 player as well as the most useful PND and social networking device on the market. To me, it misses by a "country mile." It will allow competitors to jump into the breach.

And for that price, I want my apple pie and eat it too.

Comments

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Yes, you are right. We expected more from Maps, Local and even Earth. It was opportunity of century to make it happen in the phone.

We are waiting. I wrote about my expectations.

Still, iPhone probably will use some GEOIP features or otherwise mimic your location...

So, it could be done...

#1 Zec (Link) on 2007-06-28 03:46 (Reply)

I agree that the iPhone does not seem to have so much new features, but, actually, do you know many people who actually want or use maps features ? Not many, even if everybody agrees that it's convenient.

Here you have to forget your map technical knowledge (what that iPhone can/cannot do) but think about usability : How make people using maps, since, even if they think it's convenient, they actully don't ?

It's apple's job : making devices not for features, but for usages. You pointed out the "to see and then dial the phone number for that establishment.". What is the difference between the iPhone and others smartphones ? When you know that you'll be able to call someone directly by activating a icon on the map, you use the map. If you can't, you do not use the map (conflict between usages : cannot call easily and use the map at same time). A tiny feature, and a world in usability.

If apple polished the iPhone enough, it'll be plenty of gems like that one.

#2 LipStick on 2007-06-28 04:34 (Reply)

lol. It's wonderful that none of us are truly 'wow'd' as far as the technology (or lack of) goes. But the reality is - will remain to be - that location-based units are rarely used by the average. They're currently being used by people like you, like me.

Guess how most people use maps, and in what context, Joe? You guessed it - the same way they do when they look at the online mapping utilities in order to get directions, or to get a phone number.

Guess what, Joe? What's the iPhone doing in this regard? It's concentrating on that, with an even more elegantly enhanced user interface program.

Guess what, Joe? That's all that matters - because that's what sells.

GPS? No added cost on the iPhone. Wi-Fi Triangulation? Everyone and their mom will have it once the wireless cloud is in play.

#3 Daniel (Link) on 2007-06-28 06:36 (Reply)

But Daniel...here's the rub. If maps are not so important, why is it always one of the first features they show? I read Walter Mossberg's review in the WSJ yesterday. He devote a whole "eight" words to maps...but what do they show a picture of?... Maps!...a huge photo of the map interface. Sorry...but if it wasn't important, it would be getting ink in the WSJ

#3.1 Joe Francica (Link) on 2007-06-28 06:46 (Reply)

It is important, Joe. Can you deny that maps are anything but at the forefront of society's mind, in regards to the advances of Internet technologies?

It's a symbol. Apple is clearly seeing the potential in its iconic representation. I can't disagree with that. As a designer / ga who went Geospatial when I went to work for a gov contractor -- it's something I predicted would happen. The Earth itself has become an icon in this time - and within this last few years. And why? Because we're still in the infancy of the Web, Joe. We have, hopefully, another couple years - another decade - another 50 years to watch it grow... And what do you think will be the one iconic occurrence that shapes the future of the Web?

Global awareness is also a culturally hot topic. It IS important. Is it important to you? Do you care about Darfur? Do you care about what's happening in the world? The Earth is the world - it's the only place we live - and I'm willing to guess the only place we'll ever know for another thousand or even million years.

And lastly. How do most people use maps? Really - think about that objectively for an instant, and you'll see why GPS or even triangulation technologies being incorporated is really less relevent at this point-in-time than you might think.

Though, it's not that far off into the future for all mobile devices - I assure you.

#3.1.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-06-28 08:55 (Reply)

The vast proportion of people who buy phones don't leave their home territory...probably a 25 mile radius, give or take. Just plain folks (not technonerds like us) don't care about direction finding and locations and navigation on their phone because they know where they are...roughly. Besides, if they get lost, there's a map in the car.

If the phonemap is easy to use and solves the biggest issue (hey, I'm in the neighborhood of that restaurant, where's a map so I can walk from the parking garage and find it, and maybe give them a call tell them I'll be a few minutes late) then that's all you need.

But at the end of the day, most people don't use maps much. sigh.

#4 Archie Belaney on 2007-06-28 09:14 (Reply)

Archie, I think you and I are both in agreement about this. But I do feel compelled to counter this:

"But at the end of the day, most people don't use maps much. Sigh."

I guess road atlases and the local and state maps we can pick up at any gas station - and which nearly every driver does as a plan to any trip, or to have 'just in case' -- isn't a map? The only difference, Archie? With the iPhone, you don't really need a paper map. And, you're not having to pay for yet-another-high-cost-subscription-service.

That's really what some of us geospatial nuts are bent about, isn't it? It cuts in, because it's there -- it's part of the Internet. You can't charge for it, thus it's cutting into profits.

We'll see who wins at the end of the day. Someone like Garmin, or a product like the iPhone.

#4.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-06-28 09:23 (Reply)

Archie: I think you missed my point. It is not only about features and functions. Apple prides itself on the latest and greatest. Mapping technology IS hot right now and if it wasn't, why are they giving that feature so much "visual" play in the media but fail to juice the iPhone with the most useful technology. Social networking is the most talked about technology in the demographic that Apple is shooting for with the iPhone. But they missed the mark on not including IM and local/social networking. The mapping features that were added are done far better by other devices. If I had and iPhone and my PND, I'd use my PND. I'm not replacing my PND for the lame routing feature in the iPhone. And traffic?...the iPhone is just hitting a website...it's not integrated into the routing function. For all the good engineering that went into the other features, they needed to repurpose the mapping technology and not simply deliver it as an after thought.

#4.2 Joe Francica (Link) on 2007-06-28 09:33 (Reply)

Trust me, Joe. Their demographic is more than familiar with Web 2.0 and where the Internet is going.

The thing I think you completely missed, is the fact that now people have access to maps via a mobile device for FREE. That IS a major move, no matter how you slice and dice it.

It was just down-played in that regard, from my perspective.

As a GPS geek, of course I'd expect you to want so badly the technology. But the truth is - most people don't use, or even care to use that technology. But, in the future, and as they become more familiar with the possibilities of a mobile utility (as an entry level point to becoming familiarized with what they already know through the Web currently - and how they use it) -- you're looking at massive potential.

By the way. The iPod was scoffed at at its release as well. Remember those days? I still laugh a little. And to think, I don't own or use any Apple products - I just know how their design will impact the market and shape the way we do things.

#4.2.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-06-28 09:52 (Reply)

Well, most people use phone camera. Is there any photo processing inside iPhone camera ?

Google bought NevenVision last year which made those sort of thing but as an app called iScout.

If Apple incorporates somehow this tech, it will change mobile marketing forever.

#5 Zec (Link) on 2007-06-28 15:32 (Reply)

GPS receivers eat power. As do big screens, speedy processors to run apps, 3G circuitry, etc).

I'd wager the GPS power budget was too high in relation to the utility...'cause the thing needs to run for a good day's worth of use without recharging.

#6 Archie Belaney on 2007-06-28 17:05 (Reply)

The iPhone will have GPS within 18 months. Have you seen how fast they release new versions of the iPod. The iPod is now smaller than ever and still has more features, storage, battery life and full color screens. The iPhone will go through a similar evolution. If the first iPhone had everything, how could they convince us to buy the new iPhone Mini later this year and the new iPhone Geo next year?

#7 Brian on 2007-06-29 08:34 (Reply)

Here's how I see it. GPS will come eventually to iPhone, but for now, I think GEOIP would be sufficent for Google Maps & Earth magic.
It is not only my opinion. Much the same said Ed Parson ( Google 's chief geospatial officer

Even with EDGE network, it would be HUGE mistake not to use Maps inside iPhone in a very interesting way.

Not only maps, I am pretty sure Google's technology can do image processing on mobile phone very well ( NevenVision had those iScout which is amazing thing ).

If they ( in the Apple + Google pact ) don't release it soon, I would begin to doubt what kind of friendship is that

It would be shame.

Look, local ads are on the verge, combine that with Google power...

#8 Zec (Link) on 2007-06-29 09:58 (Reply)

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In reply to	[ Top level ]#1: Zec on 2007-06-28 03:46 #2: LipStick on 2007-06-28 04:34 #3: Daniel on 2007-06-28 06:36   #3.1: Joe Francica on 2007-06-28 06:46     #3.1.1: Daniel on 2007-06-28 08:55 #4: Archie Belaney on 2007-06-28 09:14   #4.1: Daniel on 2007-06-28 09:23   #4.2: Joe Francica on 2007-06-28 09:33     #4.2.1: Daniel on 2007-06-28 09:52 #5: Zec on 2007-06-28 15:32 #6: Archie Belaney on 2007-06-28 17:05 #7: Brian on 2007-06-29 08:34 #8: Zec on 2007-06-29 09:58
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